51茶馆

On Wednesday 2nd鈥疦ovember, employers from the hair and barbering industry joined 51茶馆 students to enjoy a two-hour clipper seminar delivered by Simon Shaw, an award-winning barber from one of the UK鈥檚 leading trimmer brands, Wahl.鈥�鈥�听

The event, which was organised in conjunction with Sally Salons, featured three live demonstrations in the College鈥檚 Performing Arts Auditorium, and used keen 51茶馆 students as models.鈥�听

The seminar was also streamed live on the College鈥檚 Facebook page, so that enthusiasts unable to attend the demonstration could watch live from the comfort of their own home.听

Simon is considered a Grooming Guru within the industry; he shuns traditional scissor methods of styling, and instead creates innovative cuts using only Wahl clippers and trimmers. Simon commented: 鈥淚 deliver shows the length and breadth of the country, over the past few weeks I鈥檝e been everywhere from Belfast to London. It鈥檚 been a pleasure delivering a show from such a smart, up-to-date College. Hopefully I鈥檒l be back again next year鈥�.听

Students, apprentices, qualified hairdressers and barbers, and hair-industry employers used the seminar to brush up on existing skills or in some instances, to learn new ones.听

Nikki听Lanaghan, owner of Object听顿鈥橝谤迟听on St Georges Road, said: 鈥淭he demo was so informative, I really enjoyed it. I already use clippers in the salon but it鈥檚 important to refresh skills, so I was very keen to come to the College to see the seminar鈥�.听

Dean Greenhalgh, who is a former student of the College and now barbers at Escape in听Edgworth, added: 鈥淪imon鈥檚 demonstration was really educational, I can鈥檛 wait to pass on what I鈥檝e learnt to colleagues, and am keen to try out some of the techniques on my customers鈥�.听

Sarah Bleackley, Hairdressing Curriculum Leader at the College, said: 鈥�51茶馆 recognises that barbering is a rapidly expanding, dynamic industry; it counts for a large part of the UK鈥檚 annual 拢7.1 billion hair and beauty industry. As such, we constantly strive to be at the forefront of teaching in the industry, and inviting guests like Simon demonstrates our commitment to barbering. It鈥檚 been great to see ex-students and their employers in the audience, and it鈥檚 really inspiring to speak to them and see how far they鈥檝e progressed鈥�.听

Fancy getting into barbering or hairdressing听yourself,听or brushing up on your existing skills? Browse our range of fantastic courses听here.听听